'Not aviation body's job' to warn nations over missiles

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has defended itself after the UN aviation body was put under pressure over the Malaysian Airlines tragedy.

According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the ICAO said it had issued a warning in April about potential air traffic control problems over Crimean air space. In a statement, the aviation body said it is "not our job" to warn countries and airlines over dangers posed by missiles.

The ICAO is also thought to have said that it had no operational mandate to share data about airlines avoiding certain parts of the world, adding that nations were responsible for providing advice over potential aviation hazards.